CLEVELAND, OH--- The Cavs defeated the top seeded Minnesota Timberwolves 113-109 Friday night off a career performance from Jarrett Allen. Allen would score his career high 33 points, pull in 18 rebounds , and make 15 of his 21 free throw attempts. He wasn't the only Cavalier to step up when they were needed Friday night, as the Cavs played without 3 starters, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Max Strus.
The Cavs did a great job in keeping Anthony Edwards under check, who was coming off a 44 point performance against the Pacers Thursday night, he only scored 19 points and was held to 0 for 7 from behind the arc. Georges Niang was on FIRE in the 1st quarter, scoring 8 points early on, raining in 3 pointers all night, he would finish with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and a 4 for 7 night from deep, just one of many Cavs to step up big time. The Wolves did not make it easy all night, they would get ahead of the Cavs and hold them back for awhile, but leave it to LeVert and Niang from deep to close the gap, LeVert would hit 2 key 3 pointers in that stretch, one to tie it at 48, then another to give the Cavs a 54-50 lead just before halftime after being down by as much as 9. LeVert scored 7 first half points, finishing with 15 along with 8 assists.
The 3rd quarter was a bit rough for the Cavs, as they were only 4 for 17 from the field to start the 2nd half, but their performance at the free throw line would keep them in it for not only the 3rd quarter, but for the 4th and even into overtime. In the 3rd quarter, the Cavs would make 15 of their 18 attempts from the charity stripe. In the 4th quarter, it was Darius Garland and Jarett Allen leading the way, Garland would score 34 along with 8 assists. The 4th quarter was back and forth, but a key event late would ultimately give the Cavs a great opportunity to win the game, Rudy Gobert would get a technical foul along with his 6th personal foul, allowing the Cavs to tie the game at 97 at the free throw line with 27 seconds left and take possession. Garland would wind the clock down, but had his 3 point attempt blocked, sending the game to overtime, where it would be the Jarrett Allen show, getting key play after key play, to allow the Cavs to pull away with a 113-109 win.
The Cavs will host the Brooklyn Nets at 6:00 pm.